The 11 Best Paris Hotels of 2020

Best Overall: Hotel la Tamise - Esprit de France

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The four-star Hotel la Tamise enjoys a sophisticated location opposite the historic Tuileries Garden. From here, you can walk to several iconic Paris attractions — including the Louvre Museum and Musée d’Orsay. Built in the 19th century as a stately mansion, the hotel has hosted European aristocrats, visiting dignitaries and the fashion elite of the 1970s. Although its amenities are modest in comparison with some of the city’s larger hotels, this welcoming 19-bedroom boutique offers a level of service that allows it to stand out from the crowd.

Each of the elegant guestrooms are adorned with luxury fabrics, including velvet, leather and brass. Soundproofing ensures that you get a good night’s sleep, while modern comforts include a satellite TV, a laptop and a Nespresso machine. The Family Suite connects a Superior and Classic room and provides spectacular Tuileries views. Head to hotel restaurant La Tamise for pastries by legendary delicatessen Fauchon or pair fine French vintages with mouthwatering seasonal cuisine. Other benefits include complimentary Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. 

Best Budget: Hotel Ekta

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Situated a few minutes’ walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées, Hotel Ekta offers incredible budget rates that belie its upmarket city center location and its fashionable interiors. Choose from 25 air-conditioned rooms and suites, all decorated in bold, 70s-inspired style. Rooms are small, but perfectly formed, with a private bathroom, a Smart TV, and an espresso machine. If you find yourself with cash to spare, upgrade to a terrace room or a suite suitable for friends and family.

Breakfast is served in the hotel dining room or in the comfort of your own guestroom. Although there’s no restaurant on-site, room service is available from 6 PM to midnight. The lounge bar is perfect for a quiet drink before dinner; while the surrounding area is full of eclectic dining and drinking options. For recommendations, ask the 24-hour concierge. Private parking is available at a reasonable rate of €30/ day, and Wi-Fi is free. 

Best Boutique: Maison Souquet

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The five-star Maison Souquet is located opposite the Moulin Rouge, near the cobbled streets of bohemian Montmartre. Designed for those in search of the perfect blend of luxury and intimacy, the boutique was once a Belle Époque pleasure house. Today, it embodies the area’s decadent spirit through lavish decor and an impressive commitment to life’s finer things. Each of the 20 rooms and suites are adorned with exquisite silks and named for famous courtesans.

Your private sanctuary comes complete with Hermès toiletries, a private bar, and a Smart TV. Each morning, breakfast is served in the secluded winter garden; while the hotel restaurant serves fine French cuisine and signature cocktails in front of a monumental fireplace. For special occasions, you can arrange private use of the planetarium-themed spa. A team of professional butlers are on hand to attend to your every whim. 

Best for Families: Nell Hotel & Suites

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Centrally located between Gare du Nord and the famous Palais Garnier opera house, Residence Nell is the ideal choice for families hoping to explore the city on their own terms. Le Peletier metro station is a three-minute walk away — putting the best of Paris at your fingertips. The hotel has 17 apartments and studios, each one geared towards family entertainment with a 36” TV, free Wi-Fi and an iPod dock.

The largest apartment has two bedrooms and a separate living room. All floorplans include a kitchenette, making it easy to keep your family vacation within budget. Best of all, a daily housekeeping service ensures that Mom and Dad get a break by taking care of the washing up. In-room massages can be booked at reception, while room service is on-hand when you don’t feel like cooking. 

Best for Romance: Hotel d’Aubusson

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Hotel d’Aubusson’s location on the left bank of the River Seine epitomizes the romance for which Paris is so famous. The 17th-century townhouse is steeped in history — and inside, a fantasyland of Aubusson tapestries, magnificent chandeliers and Versailles parquet flooring awaits. In the rooms and suites, a flat-screen TV and an iPod dock set the scene for a cozy evening in.

Breakfast is served in the winter garden, while Café Laurent promises afternoon tea by the crackling fire. Parisian luminaries such as Rousseau and Voltaire once socialized here, and in the evening the lounge transforms into a piano bar complete with live jazz. Although there’s no restaurant, 24-hour room service allows you to dine in the privacy of your own suite. You’ll also find plenty of romantic sidewalk bistros nearby. 

Best View: Shangri-La Hotel Paris

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For those lucky enough to reserve well in advance, a stay in a tower view suite at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris offers the most spectacular and dynamic scenery to be found in the city. As you step through the large French doors onto your private terrace, you are greeted by sweeping views over the dramatic Parisian skyline. While your gaze can rest upon leafy parks, broad boulevards, and cathedral spires, it's the sight of the graceful Eiffel Tower rising from across the Seine River that dominates your field of vision.

Housed in a former Napoleonic palace, the hotel has lost nothing of the historic character and rich opulence that defined the age, with rooms in cream, gold, and royal blue color schemes and featuring finely detailed antique furniture and marble bathrooms. With a meticulous courtyard garden, the relaxing CHI spa with its stunningly detailed mosaic pool, and two Michelin-starred restaurants, the Shangri-La is a symphony of elegance and splendor that will leave you feeling like royalty.

Best for Foodies: Hotel Plaza Athénée

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In a city that is famous for its reverence for the art of fine dining, the Hotel Plaza Athénée stands out both for the excellence of its cuisine and the luxuriousness of its dining spaces. With a profusion of red geraniums tumbling down from wrought-iron balconies, the hotel façade offers a bold statement that stands out even amongst the fashion boutiques of Avenue Montaigne. Within, crystal chandeliers, polished marble floors, and soaring columns make this property one of the most opulent and lavish hotels to be found in Paris.

Though the hotel has five restaurants, the stand-out venue is the three-Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. In a dazzling room filled with ornate golden scrollwork and sparkling crystals, you can enjoy deceivingly simple fine dining inspired by natural ingredients and flavors. The Le Relais offers brasserie dining in an Art Deco setting, and all-day dining at La Galerie takes place in a sophisticated hall reminiscent of a Renaissance palace. For alfresco dining, the tranquil courtyard setting of La Cour Jardin offers a relaxed and intimate environment, while La Terrasse Montaigne serves light French dishes while you observe a passing parade of fashionable locals.

Best for Luxury: Le Bristol Paris

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Le Bristol Paris presides over Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the most exclusive designer shopping destination in the city. Built in 1925, the hotel served as the American Embassy in Paris during the Second World War. Today, it is a haven made unique by timeless vintage decor and extravagant floral arrangements. In the rooms, expect marble bathrooms, silk curtains and rosewood antiques.

Choose a Signature Suite for luxury additions ranging from private garden terraces to Eiffel Tower views. The indoor swimming pool also boasts stunning Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Coeur panoramas. There are four gourmet restaurants — including Epicure, a Parisian icon with three Michelin stars. Unwind with craft cocktails at Le Bar du Bristol, book a treatment in the spa or explore the city with a private chauffeur. 

Best for Nightlife: Les Bains

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Located in trendy Le Marais, Les Bains was once renowned as Paris’ coolest nightclub. In the 80s, it played host to the likes of Mick Jagger and Johnny Depp. In 2015, it re-opened as a luxury hotel. The club, with its checkerboard dancefloor, live concerts and celebrity DJ sets, has been restored to its former glory. Sit down to gourmet French cuisine at futuristic restaurant La Salle-à-Manger, then join the hotel’s fashionable crowd in the bar for bespoke cocktails. Rooms and suites provide you with the ultimate space for post-party recovery, with original artwork, satin sheets, free Wi-Fi and heated bathrooms. An MP3 player and a crystal bar set the mood for the next night’s revelry. 

Best for Business: Sofitel Paris La Defense

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The five-star Sofitel Paris La Défense is located at the heart of the city's major business district, La Défense. It’s also just 20 minutes on the metro to the city center, making it easy to sightsee between meetings. There are six meeting rooms on-site. Employ the services of the professional events team or get online in the business center. Luxury rooms and suites offer free Wi-Fi, a 48-inch HD TV, and an ergonomic work desk. Refuel on classic bistro cuisine at the restaurant, then unwind with a cocktail at the bar. The 24-hour room service is available for when you have to get up early (or get in late). Other useful amenities include a fitness center and private indoor parking. 

Best Hostel: Le Village Hostel

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Le Village Hostel is the perfect choice for budget-conscious backpackers. It’s a few minutes’ walk from artist-lined Place du Tertre and has a choice of rooms ranging from private ensuite bathrooms to 12-bed mixed dormitories. You can keep costs down by cooking in the communal kitchen. Swap stories with fellow travelers in the dining room or Skype home using the free Wi-Fi. Breakfast is served each morning and there’s a lobby with board games, books, and guitars. The terrace overlooks Sacré-Cœur and the hostel’s On the Road pub hosts regular live music. You can rent towels and hairdryers from reception.